Surabaya Immigration Deports 8 Chinese Nationals for Illegal Work

The Surabaya Class I Special Immigration Office has deported and blacklisted eight foreign nationals from the People’s Republic of China. The eight were proven to have misused their residence permits by working illegally on a restaurant renovation project in the Pakuwon Mall area, Surabaya. Head of the Surabaya Class I Special Immigration Office, Agus Winarto, revealed that the violation was uncovered when the Immigration Intelligence and Enforcement Team conducted a field surveillance operation on 4 June 2026. The deportation process was carried out on Monday (22/6) via Juanda International Airport to their home country. “At the location, officers found eight foreign nationals carrying out technical activities ranging from electrical installation, piping, construction, installation of air ventilation systems (ducting), to project supervision,” Agus said in a written statement on Wednesday (24/6). Based on the results of immigration and employment document checks, officers found three types of residence permit violation methods committed by the eight foreign nationals. For these actions, all the foreign nationals were declared to have violated Article 122 letter a of Law Number 6 of 2011 concerning Immigration. They were proven to have carried out activities not in accordance with the purpose and objectives of the residence permit granted, and were therefore subject to Immigration Administrative Actions in the form of deportation and blacklisting. Agus stressed that although Indonesia is very open to investment and foreign workers for national development, compliance with the law remains non-negotiable. “Every foreign national must use their residence permit in accordance with the activities carried out, work according to their position, and at the company that is their guarantor. We will take firm action against any form of misuse,” said Agus. This firm step is in line with the direction of the Director General of Immigration, Hendarsam Marantoko, who emphasises professional and accountable immigration law enforcement through the spirit of ‘Immigration for the People’ to safeguard state sovereignty and create a healthy investment climate with legal order.